Hebrews 7 is quite a chapter and one that reads more like my business law class as it makes the case for Jesus being greater than Melchizedek. Now for those of us living under the New Covenant through Christ, we probably don’t get the weight of this conversation. But for the initial audience of Hebrews, those who grew up living under the Law and believing Moses, Abraham, and Melchizedek were the greatest humans who ever walked the earth, Jesus’ teaching, death, and resurrection blew their minds!
For the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God. . . The law appointed high priests who were limited by human weakness. But after the law was given, God appointed his Son with an oath, and his Son has been made the perfect High Priest forever.
Hebrews 7:19,28
While we didn’t grow up during the Old Testament, we still today can quickly grab hold of our own laws, rules, and expectations we’ve made for ourselves. We cling to this sense of control in order to find security and stability and boundaries. But Jesus . . .
But Jesus came so we can find our security and stability in His love alone. Within His boundaries of truth and righteousness, we’ll live in the grace, peace and freedom for which He gave His life!
Side note: Some bible scholars believe Melchizedek may have actually been the Son of God. And, as it says in scripture, the name Melchizedek means King of Righteousness, and he was the King of Salem (or Peace). Pretty cool how God the Father has authored such a powerful and detailed story of love and restoration.
While I encourage you to read Hebrews 7 in a few different translations and meditate on His Word, I’d like to jump over to the book of Matthew. While Hebrews 7 is full of truth and detail, I believe the words of Jesus below carry the main message of ‘but Jesus is the greatest High Priest forever because He came for us.’
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Matthew 11:28-30 MSG
So while we can focus on faith, obedience, truth, grace, peace, and even key passages of the Bible, the ultimate goal is keeping company with Him and living freely and lightly! It’s complete union with God.
So each day, let’s ‘approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we can receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.’ (Hebrews 4:16). Every day and every moment, our High Priest in seated and ready for us!
Holy Barre 